it is a big surprise, but we should have known a couple of months ago. you have gotten pretty good at this covert ps stuff. [laughter] vice president, colleagues, friends, and family, thank you for being here today. i would like to congratulate leon panetta on his recent confirmation. after the 2008 election, he wrote an op-ed suggesting president obama retain me as secretary of defense. when president obama announced for my recommendation as a successor, i returned the favor. this country is fortunate that a statesman of his caliber and experience has agreed to serve again and at such an important time. my parting advice for leon is to give his -- get his office just the way he likes it because he may be here longer than he thinks. i would like to thank the members of congress here today. appreciate the gracious and supportive treatment afforded to me by representatives of both parties. even when there were disagreements over policies and priorities, congress always came through for our men and women in uniform, especially for programs that protect and